Pete Carroll says he’ll miss coaching against Jim Harbaugh

The NFC West just won’t be the same next season without former San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh, according to his fiercest rival. Speaking from the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll indicated that he would miss his former nemesis after Harbaugh left the Niners following the 2014 season.

“Yes, matter of fact I will,” Carroll said when asked if he’d miss coaching against Harbaugh. “I thought he was a great competitor. I thought that he did an incredible job … he brought the best out of us. I think the world of his coaching ability and the job that he did.

“I like it when it’s tough, and he did make it that way.”

Harbaugh and the 49ers mutually agreed to part ways following a four-year tenure in which the team posted a 44-19-1 regular-season record and made three-straight NFC Championship game appearances. The 51-year-old was named the head coach of the Michigan Wolverines on New Year’s Eve, and Carroll said he thought Harbaugh would excel at his alma mater.

“We had some great games and all that, and I wish him the best,” Carroll said. “I think he’s going to kick butt at Michigan and do a great job. I’m really anxious to watch it happen.”

Carroll and Harbaugh haven’t always gotten along — see “What’s your deal?” — but the two publicly exchanged niceties following Harbaugh’s parting with San Francisco. Last week, Harbaugh even defended the Hawks’ controversial play call that probably cost them a Super Bowl XLIX victory, saying the decision to call a slant route instead of handing the ball to running back Marshawn Lynch was an “insightful play against the goal-line defense.”

Carroll went 5-4 against the Harbaugh-led 49ers after winning the four out of the last five matchups, including a thrilling 23-17 victory in the NFC Championship game following the 2013 season.

12. Conversation stopper #1: When a reporter was digging too deep on a topic, he would say, “We already plowed that ground.”

12. Conversation stopper #1: When a reporter was digging too deep on a topic, he would say, “We already plowed that ground.”

Photo: James Tensuan / Special to the Chronicle

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11. The olive analogy. Harbaugh said when a player was about to break out, he likened it to a jar of olives that are clogged when the jar is first opened. But when the first olive dislodges, the rest come tumbling out. less

11. The olive analogy. Harbaugh said when a player was about to break out, he likened it to a jar of olives that are clogged when the jar is first opened. But when the first olive dislodges, the rest come ... more

Photo: Brant Ward / The Chronicle

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10. The chaos. With Harbaugh it’s always something. If he wasn’t in the midst of a drama, often of his own making, he wasn’t happy.

10. The chaos. With Harbaugh it’s always something. If he wasn’t in the midst of a drama, often of his own making, he wasn’t happy.

Photo: Brant Ward / The Chronicle

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9. His thoughtless press releases. For example, when Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride suggested that 49ers defensive lineman Justin Smith held offensive linemen, Harbaugh responded with this “‘… it is an incendiary comment targeting one of the truly exemplary players in this league. It’s obvious that the Giants coaching staff’s sole purpose is to use their high visibility to both criticize and influence officiating.” Classic. less

5. Spittle. He spewed a lot of it at officials. It was especially compelling when Harbaugh’s sideline tirades were captured in slooooow motion – spit flying from his mouth, his headset dangling down his back, his hat askew. Also classic. less

5. Spittle. He spewed a lot of it at officials. It was especially compelling when Harbaugh’s sideline tirades were captured in slooooow motion – spit flying from his mouth, his headset dangling down his ... more

Photo: Brant Ward / The Chronicle

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4. The slogan – “Who’s got better than us?” Of course, the answer is Harbaugh. He goes to Michigan, where he will be king, for a fat contract. With incentives, paid appearances, car allowances, radio shows, Harbizzy will get his $8 million per. less

4. The slogan – “Who’s got better than us?” Of course, the answer is Harbaugh. He goes to Michigan, where he will be king, for a fat contract. With incentives, paid appearances, car allowances, radio ... more

Photo: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images

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3. His amazing, years-long rivalry with Pete Carroll. It brought a new dimension to both Stanford-USC and 49ers-Seahawks games. Neither are the same without that rivalry.

3. His amazing, years-long rivalry with Pete Carroll. It brought a new dimension to both Stanford-USC and 49ers-Seahawks games. Neither are the same without that rivalry.

Photo: Matt Sayles / ASSOCIATED PRESS

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2. His coaching togs, which had to be the most popular Halloween costume in the Bay Area the last few years. The khakis, the black, lint-strewn black sweatshirt tucked into his high-belted trousers.

2. His coaching togs, which had to be the most popular Halloween costume in the Bay Area the last few years. The khakis, the black, lint-strewn black sweatshirt tucked into his high-belted trousers.

Photo: Scott Strazzante / The Chronicle

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1. By far, the greatest aspect of Harbaugh that will be missed is the coaching staff. Men like Tom Rathman (running backs), Jim Tomsula (defensive line), Jim Leavitt (linebackers), Ed Donatell (secondary) are at the top of their professions. less

1. By far, the greatest aspect of Harbaugh that will be missed is the coaching staff. Men like Tom Rathman (running backs), Jim Tomsula (defensive line), Jim Leavitt (linebackers), Ed Donatell (secondary) are ... more